Glacier Mountaineering Society

Fri, Sep 26 2025 - Kaina Mountain (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Laurel R. Vielle
Participants:		Laurel R. Vielle, Dell Meuchel, Gail Meuchel, Anne D., Adam McClure, Scott Freeman

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Write Up:
When I put Kaina Mountain backpack and climb on the GMS schedule for late September, I knew it was a long shot due to weather. But lo and behold, as September progressed and the weather remained gorgeous, I thought “well, this climb is going to happen”. So, long story, short, myself and four talented climbers had a successful camp and subsequent climb of Kaina Mountain, located in the Belly River area of Glacier. Climbers were Anne Dellwo, Scott Freeman, Adam McClure, Dell Meuchel and myself. I had never coordinated a backpack (which required a backcountry permit from Glacier) for GMS before, and while it had its minor challenges, i.e., winning the lottery to put in early for an permit, securing the permit, picking up the permit, etc., etc, the whole process went off without a hitch. We were able to pick up the permit with no issues, then head directly to the Belly River trailhead. From there, we had a beautiful, mellow, albeit windy, hike to camp and then an easy rest of the day in camp. A highlight of the evening was chillaxing on the beach listening to the wind and enjoying the amazing views of clear blue skies, Cosley Lake and the ridge above. After a very, very windy night, we woke up to cloudy skies and the smell of smoke. My heart sank. But, everyone was in good spirits, and we set off down the trail at a little after 6am in the morning. Thankfully the smoke was not as bad as it could have been and the wind, though very brisk, was not as bad as the evening before (which sounded like 20 freight trains running through camp). After the nice trail portion up to Bear Mountain Point, most of the climb to Kaina was what I would call a class II slog. There were a few little spicy bits of climbing here and there, but nothing that was untoward. After Bear Mountain Point, we went off trail to just below Bear Mountain, where a few members of the group who had not climbed Bear quickly went up to tap the summit. After regrouping, we made our way over to Kaina, following a long and undulating ridgeline. We worked as a group to figure out the spicy bits of climbing and after some time, we made the summit. After taking in the stunning views near the summit (not too impacted by smoke), we backtracked a ways and then decided as a group to go down a different route. Thankfully the down route was a good one, even with the bushwhack at the end. Working as a group, using maps, navigation skills, good communication, and common sense, we made the most of the bushwhack and it wasn’t too bad. Thrilled to be back on the trail with plenty of daylight left, we hustled back to camp and had another relaxing evening. The next day it was a mellow hike out to the vehicles where we shared chips and cold beverages. All in all, we had a wonderful backcountry experience.

Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Tim Anderson at twamontana@gmail.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.